Tobin McDuff Thanks His High School Coach
By: Tobin McDuff
Updated: February 27, 2013
" After being told by my eighth grade basketball coach that I would never amount to anything on the basketball court I gave up basketball until my junior year in high school. I asked the varsity coach, Dan Christner, if I could try out for the team. He informed me I was two years behind the other athletes but that I could try out.
He gave me a fair shot but I was not talented enough. He offered me a spot as the team manager. I took it and was given greater responsibilities than most managers for the next two seasons.
Unbeknownst to me, prior to my senior year, Coach Christner put me on the roster and on Senior Night prior to the game he informed me I would be suiting up. Although I was only in the game for about one minute, I did get one shot off. I was fouled from beyond the three-point arc. I missed all three shots!
But, on the final shot a lane violation was called and I received a fourth opportunity. I drilled it! So I finished my high school career with one point! I have told this story many times at schools and churches but have never told Coach Christner how much his actions mean to me.
Amazingly, I have scored more points professionally than I did in in high school. As a guest player with the Washington Generals I scored four points against the Harlem Globetrotters.
He gave me a fair shot but I was not talented enough. He offered me a spot as the team manager. I took it and was given greater responsibilities than most managers for the next two seasons.
Unbeknownst to me, prior to my senior year, Coach Christner put me on the roster and on Senior Night prior to the game he informed me I would be suiting up. Although I was only in the game for about one minute, I did get one shot off. I was fouled from beyond the three-point arc. I missed all three shots!
But, on the final shot a lane violation was called and I received a fourth opportunity. I drilled it! So I finished my high school career with one point! I have told this story many times at schools and churches but have never told Coach Christner how much his actions mean to me.
Amazingly, I have scored more points professionally than I did in in high school. As a guest player with the Washington Generals I scored four points against the Harlem Globetrotters.
